Job Snapshot

About Us

Quest Diagnostics empowers people to take action to improve health outcomes. Derived from the world's largest database of clinical lab results, our diagnostic insights reveal new avenues to identify and treat disease, inspire healthy behaviors and improve health care management. Quest annually serves one in three adult Americans and half the physicians and hospitals in the United States, and our 46,000 employees understand that, in the right hands and with the right context, our diagnostic insights can inspire actions that transform lives.

Job Description

Science - Assoc Dir- Valencia, California - M-F

Look for more than answers. Patients and Physicians rely on our diagnostic testing, information and services to help them make better healthcare decisions. These are often serious decisions with far reaching consequences, and require sensitivity, tact and a clear dedication to service. It’s about providing clarity and hope.

As a R&D Professional you will work for the world leader in the industry, with a career where you can expand your skills and knowledge. You’ll have a role where you can act with professionalism, you can inspire colleagues, and you can care about the work we do and the people we serve.

At Quest, our R&D Professionals play an essential role in our success and in the services we provide. As a career, we offer a unique opportunity to develop your career with the #1 Diagnostic Lab in the US. We are research and development driven, and we’re creating the lab of the future – an environment where you can deliver cutting edge diagnostics and help us drive new discoveries and breakthroughs.

JOB SUMMARY:

Direct, plan, and manage the work of development scientists for feasibility studies, new product development, and transfer to manufacturing. Review project plans to ensure scientific integrity, consistency with departmental strategy, and achievability of deliverables and dates. Ensure that development projects are conducted in accordance with business unit’s Design Control Process and are compliant with applicable regulatory requirements. Provide expert advice to management and technical personnel regarding development technologies and activities. Hire, train, and review staff. Be accountable for quality and timeliness of projects involving themselves or their staff.

IMPACT:

Successful performance contributes to business unit’s ability to deliver high quality products to the customer in a timely and cost effective manner. Decisions can affect the financial, employee, or public relations posture of the company; erroneous decisions can result in the failure of the department or Business Unit to meet its goals.

JOB RESPONSIBILITIES:

Direct projects and programs for product development.

Lead and/or support product development projects in all phases of the product development process.

Work with teams to plan and manage new product development projects. Work with senior management to manage projects according to company priorities.

Present or support their staff in presenting technologies at scientific meetings and customer or partner meetings.

Ensure that staff is trained in and follow the safety requirements of the company.

JOB REQUIREMENTS:

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential job duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skills, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

EDUCATION AND/OR EXPERIENCE:

Requires knowledge and skills normally acquired through the successful completion of a Ph.D. in a scientific field, or equivalent combination of education and experience. Typically requires at least 10 years of work experience, with at least 4 years of directly relevant experience in a senior technical role related to product development, 3 years of technical management responsibility and a minimum of 3 years of personnel management experience. Knowledge of QSR, ISO, and CE-IVD requirements for product development; with participation on product development teams that have successfully launched products. Must have experience in working successfully with multiple functions such as QA/RA, QC, Manufacturing, Marketing, and Business Development.

LANGUAGE SKILLS:

Must possess excellent command of the English language and grammar, with demonstrated proficiency in written and oral communications. Ability to understand and critically analyze internal product development documents and business presentations, general business periodicals, relevant technical journals, and applicable governmental regulations. Ability to write clear, concise reports and business correspondence. Ability to effectively present information and respond to common inquiries or complaints from employees, executives, vendors, customers, regulatory agencies, or members of the scientific community.

MATHEMATICAL SKILLS:

Ability to compute basic statistical measures associated with quality control functions. Ability to work with mathematical concepts such as probability and statistical inference, linear algebra, and curve fitting at a sufficient level to guide staff and assess the quality of departmental work.

REASONING ABILITY:

Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions. Ability to analyze an extensive variety of business and technical information, make appropriate assumptions, and understand the implications of both the data limitations and assumptions on the conclusions drawn. Ability to effectively analyze and challenge data and conclusions generated by others.

LICENSES, CERTIFICATES, REGISTRATION:

None.

OTHER KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

Must be able to lead projects and programs, set standards, and train staff. Experience in managing technical professionals required; with demonstrated supervisory and leadership abilities. Must develop staff to independently solve technical problems; must act as a lead source of product development knowledge in the business unit. Must understand the diagnostics product development process and design controls under FDA Quality System Regulations for medical devices. Must be able to resolve conflicts at both the project team and management level. Familiarity with clinical laboratory practices and operations is desirable.

POSITIONS SUPERVISED:

DIRECT: Technical managers and scientific staff up to the Sr. Staff Scientist level.

INDIRECT: As assigned, can be from any function of the company.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED:

Operates with minimal supervision. Receives guidance on strategic direction of company, budgetary constraints, and relative importance of various projects to company goals. Exercises discretion in managing activities to best meet these objectives.

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Most duties are performed while sitting at a desk, (i.e., operating a computer or typewriter, using a telephone, or writing and analyzing data and/or reports). Walking or standing within the office area may be required for the operation of other office equipment and for meetings. Occasionally duties are performed while standing or sitting in a laboratory and may require manual dexterity and visual acuity in the operation of equipment. Some operations include the use of chemicals that requires following safe handling procedures. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to use hands to finger, handle or feel objects, tools or controls and reach with hands and arms; in the operation of equipment or instruments located in the work environment. The employee is frequently required to sit and occasionally required to stand, walk, and stoop. The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 10 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close and distance vision, ability to distinguish color, and depth perception.

WORKING ENVIRONMENT:

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential duties of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Job duties are performed in an office environment utilizing standard office equipment such as a computer, photocopier and telephone. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate to quiet. Occasionally job duties are performed in a laboratory environment utilizing standard lab equipment. Some operations include the use of chemicals that require following safe handling procedures.

PROTECTIVE CLOTHING:

None while in the office. Lab work performed in designated areas may require the use of appropriate safety precautions and protective equipment, including safety glasses, gloves, etc.

NOTE: THIS POSITION DESCRIPTION IN NO WAY STATES OR IMPLIES THAT THESE ARE THE ONLY DUTIES/FUNCTIONS TO BE PERFORMED BY THE INCUMBENT. EMPLOYEES WILL BE REQUIRED TO FOLLOW ANY OTHER JOB-RELATED INSTRUCTIONS AND TO PERFORM ANY OTHER JOB RELATED DUTIES/FUNCTIONS REQUESTED BY THEIR SUPERVISOR.